The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Atfer seeing the pictures of the recent post showing from SHADOW NAVIGATOR with AFSOC Patch and MC-130P , I quickly made a phone call to see what I have to do to pick one of these up myself. So, I spoke with my AD and Breitling Rep last night via conference call and I was told that if I want one, I have two options. 1. Find one used from a private seller and purchase from them 2. Please an order of fifty (50), where the group has a choice of images, face color, artwork etc.. I would send in some high-res photos and Breitling would design a few different ones for viewing pleasure and a group decision. Lead time is 12-14 weeks from start to finish and the price will vary depending on the detail of the artwork, if anyone is interested or knows anyone that might be interested, please PM me with their contact info. and we can try to get this project movin'.

Being a prior Talon II guy, that would be my first choice and I would also consider the Gunship...but I am still open to suggestions and to see what other ideas people have.

Regards,

Ian

I don't want to dampen any enthusiasm here for a nice idea, but just a quick comment about getting an LE Airwolf made - we've tried on two occasions to get a Breitling Source LE made and both times we failed to get Breitling to agree to it. They are very careful who they create LEs for which is why they stick to military units primarily, and occasionally other official bodies. The odds of Breitling making an LE for a group of random guys (like on a watch forum) is very slim, despite what your rep may have said.

Also even if Breitling DID go for it you will struggle hugely to find a) 50 people willing to go for it, and b) an agreement on design. We've done two Steinhart LEs on here and getting just 20 people to sign up for something that costs much less than a Breitling was very very tough. There was also an airforce or navy guy on here a while back who's squadron did manage to get an LE built and he said it was absolutely horrendous just trying to agree the logo......!

I'm certainly not saying don't try : I'm just saying be prepared for a struggle and a 99% it won't happen.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Your rep is oversimplifying things hugely.

The first step is to get Breitling to agree to the concept and that requires a submission to them of your group, what makes them a collective group, what they represent, waht their values are, etc. If Breitling accepts that you are a suitable partner then they will tell you which watches can be modified and what the minimum order numbers are for each model and you can get into designs.

That being said, it sounds like a lot of work for 50 strangers to get together and agree on something. Thanks for info guys; back to the search!

I thought it sounded to easy, another reason why I posted it here with hopes of feedback and that's exactly what I got, thanks again


-Ian

Ian, below is verbiage from the Interest Survey Form (unable to upload doc for some reason) used to solicit interest (minus his contact info to protect privacy). He shotgun blasted it out to multiple squadrons and our heritage organization. Click the link embedded on his info letter to see cool LE B1s of the past.

As mentioned, it was a lot of diligent work - but well worth the effort. I'm not sure were the 50 orders quote from AD and BUSA comes from, but as you can see, with us we only needed a minimum of 25 orders. We squeaked in with 26 - whew! Maybe something to do with working with active duty AF squadron? Also, note that our initial quote was for about $3500 for the Airwolf...but we were VERY pleased to learn the final price was considerably less than that, making the purchase a no-brainer.

Like I mentioned in my other post, I have an associate trying to get the Talon II version off the ground. If it gains momentum, I will put you in touch with him. In fact, I will make him aware of this forum so he can shake the trees...if he gets close to the required number maybe he can swing some participation.

"Dear MC-130P Crewmember,
I cordially invite you to participate in an historic purchase of a MC-130P Breitling watch. As you know, our aircraft does not have many years left with the Air Force. The “Combat Shadow” will soon be phased out and replaced with the newer MC-130J. The aircraft will become a piece of AFSOC history and the many Shadow crewmembers that exist will also become part of that history. I would like to celebrate being part of such a brilliant era by ordering a special-made, limited edition MC-130P Breitling watch—and I want to extend this opportunity to ALL of you who have participated in this era.
Breitling is one of the best watchmakers throughout the world today. Since the beginning of aviation, Breitling has supplied watches and other timepieces to pilots, navigators, special military units such as the Navy Seals, and astronauts. They also have a limited edition program that allows a military unit to include their logo/patch/aircraft on the face of a watch. It is a one-time special order, so no other buyers can get their hands on the same watch at a later time. In order for Breitling to make a limited edition watch they require a minimum of 25 orders. For more information about Breitling visit their website at www.breitling.com. (You will not find information on limited edition watches because Breitling requires that it is coordinated through a dealer.)
The MC-130P watch will be a single choice of two of Breitling’s line. We will have to vote between the Aerospace or the Airwolf. (On the website, click on “models; Professional; type of watch”) The “9” on the watch will be replaced with a front view of the aircraft, and the “3” will be replaced with the AFSOC patch (in color, not subdued, so it is easier to see). For examples of how the logos will be put on the watch visit this website: http://donindiano.lanetcie.com/watches/ ... l_editions. The watch face will be black, and the band will be a metal band.
In order to see what kind of interest level there is I have attached a survey in this email. Please fill out the survey so I know who I need to keep in contact with as I find out more information. If you do not fill out the survey and send it back you will not be included in the ordering process. This survey is NOT committing you to buy anything. On the survey there is a place you can vote for the watch you want. As a group, we can only go with one watch (unless we get more than 50 orders), so vote on the Aerospace or Airwolf. Military or civilian email is ok. Breitling watches are not cheap. The Aerospace will cost approximately $3,000 and the Airwolf will cost approximately $3,500. Prices will fluctuate slightly depending on how many watches are ordered.
Please return the filled out survey to me at either or .
One final note…there are many MC-130P crewmembers that are no longer in a flying squadron or are retired. Please help me forward this information to ANY crewmember that you know. I want to provide this opportunity for every one of us.
Respectfully,
Captain XXXXXXXXXXXXX
MC-130P Navigator"

Yes please let me know if it does gain any traction, I can email some old friends that were stationed at Hurlburt FLD with me and see if there is any more interest. I've PM'd you with my email address also.